
5822-07530 — Privy Council Office
The complainant alleged that the Privy Council Office (PCO) failed to conduct a reasonable search for records related to a review of the Canadian intelligence program by the Intelligence Advisory Committee (IAC) for the Cabinet Committee for Security and Intelligence (CCSI) between January 1972 and June 1975. The investigation found that PCO's initial search was inadequate, as Offices of Primary Interest did not retrieve all relevant records. The complainant specifically identified several missing documents and references to unreleased annexes within the records provided. Following the Office of the Information Commissioner's (OIC) intervention, PCO conducted a secondary search, which identified an additional 265 pages of responsive records. Although the OIC was satisfied with the subsequent search, the complaint was deemed well founded due to the initial failure. The Commissioner ordered PCO to complete the retrieval and processing of all additional records and provide a supplementary response by March 18, 2025, which PCO agreed to implement.
- 1Whether the Privy Council Office conducted a reasonable search for records responsive to the access request
- 2Whether specific requested records were omitted from the initial response
- 3Whether referenced annexes and supporting papers were missing from the initial release
- Adequacy of search: Initial search inadequate, secondary search satisfactory
- Complaint validity: Complaint well founded
- Further action: Additional records ordered processed and disclosed
Complaint well founded — disclosure ordered
The complaint was well founded because the Privy Council Office initially failed to conduct a reasonable search, leading to the omission of responsive records. A subsequent search, prompted by the OIC's investigation, located additional relevant documents, confirming the inadequacy of the initial efforts.
The Commissioner ordered the Clerk of the Privy Council to complete the retrieval of all responsive records, process all additional pages located, and provide a supplementary response to the access request by March 18, 2025, granting access unless specific provisions of the Act apply.
- s.30(1)(a) ATIA
This summary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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